Do home inspectors need to inspect basements?

If they were doing the inspection for me I would insist that they do so. Many serious problems can be found in basements.

Yes, basements are full of conditions and possible equipment that a home inspector should pay close attention to. For example, many basements contain important mechanical (furnace, hot water heater) and electrical equipment that should be inspected for proper installation and maintenance.

Other conditions inspectors may look for in basements:

• Excessive moisture.
• Foundation damage.
• Structural posts and beams mis-aligned.
• Wood destroying rot or insects.
• Inadequate stairs, doors or Windows.